‘Wicked’ TV special will unveil ‘thrillifying’ secret scene from upcoming movie

If you’re anxiously counting down the days until November 22, when “Wicked” arrives in theaters, you may want to add an additional date to your calendar. On Tuesday, November 19, a new TV special titled “Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked” will air at 10:00 p.m. on NBC. That’s just three days prior to the film’s worldwide release by Universal Pictures. Peacock will then stream the television program on November 20.

The hour-long event is being billed as “an exclusive journey into Oz with the all-star cast.” It filmed on the Emerald City movie set, and features behind-the-scenes moments with cast members Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode. They will all “share personal memories, intimate video diaries and secrets about their personal journeys,” teases the network.

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Viewers of “Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked” will also see the world premiere of a “thrillifying” secret scene from the upcoming movie. Hmm, might it be a song-and-dance sequence showcasing Erivo (as Elphaba Thropp), Grande (as Galinda Upland) and/or others? If that’s the case, it could be one of the following musical moments that are expected to take place during “Wicked: Part 1”:

1. No One Mourns the Wicked – Ariana Grande ft. Andy Nyman, Courtney Mae-Briggs, Jeff Goldblum, Sharon D. Clarke & Jenna Boyd
2. Dear Old Shiz – Shiz University Choir ft. Ariana Grande
3. The Wizard And I – Cynthia Erivo ft. Michelle Yeoh
4. What Is This Feeling? – Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo
5. Something Bad – Peter Dinklage ft. Cynthia Erivo
6. Dancing Through Life – Jonathan Bailey ft. Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode & Cynthia Erivo
7. Popular – Ariana Grande
8. I’m Not That Girl – Cynthia Erivo
9. One Short Day – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
10. A Sentimental Man – Jeff Goldblum
11. Defying Gravity – Cynthia Erivo ft. Ariana Grande

SEE ‘Wicked’ proves popular in Oscar predictions, leads early odds to win Best Costume Design

NBC and Peacock will also delight fans with “Wicked”-inspired content during the ad breaks of the special, thanks to sponsors Lexus and Target. You know what that means: don’t fast-forward the commercials!

The Universal Pictures movie is adapted from the popular (pun intended) Broadway musical of the same name, which won three Tony Awards in 2004 for Idina Menzel (Best Actress in a Musical), Eugene Lee (Best Scenic Design), and Susan Hilferty (Best Costume Design).

“Wicked: Part 1” arrives in theaters on November 22, 2024 and is already garnering major Oscar buzz. “Wicked: Part 2” is scheduled to debut the following year on November 21, 2025.

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